Chapter 198: Not a vampire
Rose crouched behind a corner, her heart raced with anticipation, her senses on high alert as she observed Lady Dravena and the mysterious figure. Though she strained her ears, she couldn't discern their conversation, only catching snippets of indistinct murmurs.
Frustration gnawed at her, her curiosity piqued by the presence of the stranger accompanying Lady Dravena. They moved with an air of secrecy that set Rose's instincts on edge, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was afoot.
Rose's mind raced as she observed Lady Dravena with the mysterious figure, a knot of apprehension forming in her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that washed over her as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"That's Dravena. But who is this strange person?" Rose whispered to herself, her voice barely above a breath. "Neither vampire nor human, yet they walk together in secrecy,"
Rose could tell straight away that it was Dravena because of her armoured attire. Only members of the Draconis family and those in the royal houses dresses that way.
The stranger's presence however seemed to defy categorization, their aura cloaked in an unsettling ambiguity that set Rose's instincts on edge. As she watched from her concealed vantage point, a sense of foreboding washed over her, sending shivers down her spine.
Frustration mingled with curiosity as Rose wrestled with the urge to intervene. Yet, a lingering sense of danger held her back, urging caution in the face of the unknown. With her senses heightened and her nerves taut with anticipation, Rose remained hidden, her focus trained on the enigmatic duo before her.
Just as she was about to risk creeping closer for a better vantage point, a sound behind her made her freeze. Another presence approached, and Rose's instincts screamed at her to hide. With practiced precision, she extended her nails and dug them into the wall, her movements swift and silent as she scaled the surface with feline grace.
As Rose reached the top of the tower, her pulse quickened with anticipation, her eyes scanning the courtyard below for any signs of activity. The new presence moved with an eerie silence, adding to the sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air.
With bated breath, Rose strained to catch a glimpse of the mysterious figure, her curiosity piqued by their unexpected appearance. Yet, as she leaned forward to eavesdrop on their conversation, a chill ran down her spine.
The stranger turned suddenly, their gaze piercing through the darkness as if sensing her presence. Panic surged within Rose as she ducked behind the parapet, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had been discovered, her cover blown in an instant.
For what felt like an eternity, Rose remained frozen in place, her senses on high alert as she waited for any sign of danger. But as the minutes dragged on, the courtyard fell eerily silent, save for the distant rustle of leaves in the night breeze.
With a cautious exhale, Rose tentatively peeked over the edge of the tower, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any trace of the trio below. To her dismay, they had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a lingering sense of intrigue and uncertainty.
As she retreated from her vantage point, Rose couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
As Rose made her way back to her chambers, her mind whirled with questions and concerns. The encounter she had witnessed in the courtyard left her unsettled, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous was afoot.
As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with one of the castle servants, who jumped back with a start.
"Apologies, my lady," the servant stammered, bowing hastily. "I didn't see you there."
"It's quite all right," Rose replied, her voice tight with tension. "No harm done."
But even as she spoke the words, her thoughts were elsewhere, consumed by the events she had witnessed.
"Is everything all right, my lady?" the servant asked, hesitantly. "You seem... troubled."
Rose paused, considering her response. She couldn't very well reveal the true cause of her unease, not without risking further suspicion. Instead, she forced a small smile and nodded.
"I'm fine, thank you," she replied, her tone as reassuring as she could muster. "Just a bit tired, that's all."
The servant nodded, though the concern in their eyes remained evident.
"Is there anything I can do to assist you, my lady?" they offered, eager to be of help.
Rose shook her head. "No, thank you. I just need some rest."
.
Rose watched the servant walk away, a flicker of suspicion danced in the back of her mind. It struck her as odd that they would offer assistance so readily, especially considering the strained relationship she had with many of the castle staff, thanks to Gladys's orders.
Rubbing her midsection absentmindedly, Rose couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. It was as if the very walls of the castle were closing in around her, suffocating her with their secrets and lies.
With a heavy sigh, she continued on her way, the unsettling encounter weighing heavily on her mind. As she reached her chambers, she closed the door behind her, shutting out the outside world for the moment.
Alone in the dimly lit room, Rose sank into a chair, her thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind of uncertainty and fear. She couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lurked within the shadows of the castle, and whether she would ever uncover the truth behind the mysterious meeting she had witnessed.
But for now, all she could do was wait and watch, her instincts sharpened by the knowledge that danger lurked around every corner. And as she laid a protective hand on her swelling belly, she silently vowed to do whatever it took to ensure the safety of herself and her unborn child, no matter the cost.
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Blake stumbled through the dense foliage of the jungle, his hands clutching the back of his head where blood seeped from a wound. The throbbing ache pulsed through his skull, clouding his thoughts as he fought to stay upright.
His mind raced with worry for Nana, who had been dragged away by her betrothed, Kabib, moments earlier. The fear gnawed at him, driving him forward despite the pain and disorientation.
Each step through the tangled undergrowth felt like a struggle, the oppressive heat of the jungle weighing heavily on his weary frame. Sweat trickled down his brow, mingling with the blood from his wound as he pushed himself onward.
Images of Nana's terrified face flashed through his mind, fueling his determination to find her and ensure her safety. He cursed himself for not being able to protect her, for allowing Kabib to whisk her away into the depths of the jungle.
As Blake staggered closer to the beach condo, his eyes focused on the figure of Elena standing outside, her form illuminated by the soft glow of the porch light. She seemed to be scanning the area, her movements frantic as though she were searching for someone. She had her nose in the air like a bloodhound in search of a criminal.
Elena's gaze soon locked onto Blake as he approached, her expression morphing from concern to alarm at the sight of him. Without hesitation, she darted forward, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides.
"Blake!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with worry as she reached out to steady him. "What happened? You're covered in blood!"